Last year, SPX (The small Press Expo) announced it was joining with Nickelodeon to allow attendees to pitch animated shows to the net. The announcement met with a mixed response–some saw it as a logical evolution of the career development that the expo always offered; others felt it was a corporate invasion.

Whatever you’re feelings, at least one show was chosen for development: Out of 70 pitches, Max Wittert’s Best Baddies was selected and is in production. The show is about “four magical villainess girls who challenge the status quo of their dull city by trying to convince other girls to join them and become fellow villainesses.”

An additional pitch from Wittert, the X-men pastiche Jean & Scott, (Above) has been published by Marvel Comics.

1 out of 70 is sort of a “golden ticket” level success rate, but in the competitive world of cartooning, to be put into production is a pretty big score. However, other creators found other success: several pitches were considered for development, some are still being developed, creators were offered freelance design work and one creator accepted an internship. So either the comics/cartoon drain continues or more opportunities for cartoonists.

The SPX 2015 call for submissions was part of Nickelodeon’s 2015 Animated Shorts Program, which this year chose 22 ideas from around the world to be developed into shorts that will either potentially air on Nickelodeon or be able to be viewed on its web site. The annual program, overseen by network development executives, accepts domestic and international pitches that will be developed into animated shorts for the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. audiences. Designed to cultivate a new generation of creative talent, the Animated Shorts Program aids in Nickelodeon’s mission in making the best and funniest content for today’s kids.

“Animation and comics have been linked since the dawn of animation as an art form. Comics creators have been part of the networks DNA for more than 5 years, with comics artists contributing to Ren and Stimpy, SpongeBob Square Pants, and the more recent Harvey Beaks and Pig Goat Banana Cricket to name a few. SPX is overflowing with some of the most talented, inspiring, and hilarious creators in independent comics. Our involvement with SPX was a natural fit as a creator-driven animation studio partnering with the premiere creator-driven comics event.”

SPX 2016 takes place this year September 17-18 at the Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center, with more than 650 creators, 280 exhibitor tables and 22 panels.

Heidi MacDonald is the founder and editor in chief of The Beat. In the past, she worked for Disney, DC Comics, Fox and Publishers Weekly. She can be heard regularly on the More To Come Podcast. She likes coffee, cats and noble struggle.